Sex and diabetes in men

Just as with advancing age, diabetes can interfere with a man's sex life and lead to reduced performance [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Fortunately, the repercussions of diabetes on male sexuality are not inevitable and solutions do exist.

Side effects of diabetes on male sexuality

Numerous studies show that diabetes leads to problems with sexuality [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience discomfort in their sex life compared to people without diabetes [1,2,4,5,6].

These sexual disorders appear more frequently in the male population [1,4] and, more commonly still, among people prone to complications [1,4,5,6]. It is therefore estimated that about one in two men with diabetes suffer from problems with sexuality [1,4]

Impact of diabetes on a man's sex life

Sexual performance in men can diminish with diabetes and with age [1,2,4,5,6]. These inconveniences are mainly manifested by erectile dysfunction, or orgasm and libido issues [1,3,4,5,6]. It is estimated that they develop them 10 to 15 years earlier than for people without diabetes, resulting from a combination of factors [1,4]

Causes may initially be psychological in nature: low morale, depression and lack of self-confidence [1,4,6,7]. In fact, 35% of diabetic men fear hypoglycemia during intercourse and, in practice, 40% have already experienced it [7]

Diabetes also has a direct effect on the correct functioning of the erectile system in half of all male living with diabetes. By way of comparison, around 22 % of non-diabetic men are affected by erectile disorder [1]

From a physiological point of view, certain complications of diabetes induce impotence [1,2,4,5,6]. Problems with body weight and levels of sex hormones in the blood can also affect intimacy and sexuality and the male reproductive system, notably through reductions in testosterone levels [1,2,4,7].

But rest assured, the underlying reasons can be completely addressed.

Prevention and treatment

To prevent the deterioration of your sex life, the need for early and comprehensive diabetes management is imperative [2,3,4,5,6]. If diabetes is affecting your sexuality, a multidisciplinary group of doctors and specialists - comprising a psychologist, a diabetologist, an endocrinologist, a urologist and a nutritionist - should be consulted [2,4,5]. In order to address your anxiety concerning post-coital hypoglycemia, it is vital that you talk about it with a health professional [2,3,5]

Prevention also involves regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels and compliance with classic hygiene and diet recommendations (quality sleep, a serene lifestyle limiting stressful situations, regular physical activity, a healthy diet and moderate alcohol consumption) in order to minimize as much as possible the consequences of diabetes on your sex life [2,3,4,5].

Applied young, these recommendations will not only guarantee the improvement of your sexuality, but also of your overall health and well-being on a daily basis [2,4].